Diving spread

Diving spread is a term used in the commercial diving industry to refer to the complete set of equipment and personnel required to conduct a diving operation. The diving spread typically includes the dive control station, the diving bell, the diver's umbilical, the diving suit, and the diving support vessel.

Dive Control Station

The dive control station is the central hub of the diving spread. It is where the dive supervisor monitors and controls the diving operation. The dive control station includes communication equipment to maintain contact with the diver, monitoring equipment to track the diver's depth and time, and control equipment to manage the diver's gas supply and the diving bell's position.

Diving Bell

The diving bell is a pressure-resistant chamber used to transport divers from the surface to the work site and back. It provides a safe, pressurized environment where divers can rest, eat, and decompress between work periods. The diving bell is connected to the dive control station by the bell umbilical, which supplies breathing gas, power, and communications.

Diver's Umbilical

The diver's umbilical is a bundle of hoses and cables that connects the diver to the dive control station. It supplies the diver with breathing gas, communications, and power for tools. The umbilical also includes a lifeline and a pneumofathometer hose to monitor the diver's depth.

Diving Suit

The diving suit protects the diver from the underwater environment. It provides insulation, buoyancy control, and a means of delivering breathing gas. The type of diving suit used depends on the nature of the dive. For deep and long duration dives, a saturation diving suit or a hot water suit may be used.

Diving Support Vessel

The diving support vessel is the ship or platform from which the diving operation is conducted. It houses the dive control station and provides a stable platform for launching and recovering the diving bell. The diving support vessel also carries all the support personnel and equipment necessary for the operation.

See Also

• Commercial diving
• Saturation diving
• Scuba diving
• Underwater diving